HOW TO DEAL WITH AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS AND LIVE A HAPPY LIFE AGAIN II

Does Existential Crisis Takes Place Once in a Lifetime?
We do not only go through one, but multiple of existential crisis in our lifetime.
By noticing that there may be an underlying pattern, you are able to take control and live a life fulfilled with happiness and ease. It only takes answering some internal questions and re-examining your trigger points that may help bring some answers to the surface.
Having an existential crisis weighs heavily on one’s mind and spirit. Although it can be subjective to a person, it’s safe to say that many people have come across this “check-in” not once but multiple times in their life whether it is because of a breakup, change in career, death of someone, and even in the midst of reaching milestones.
How to Deal with an Existential Crisis
1. Check-In with Your Ego
The ego has the power to navigate your mind and your thought process only if you allow it. Of course, ego is a natural human element, and it comes down to how much and how loud that ego speaks.
After spending some time thinking about what success means, you should ask yourself- are these successes aligned with my values or am I just running a rat race?
2. Surround Yourself with Positive People
They say misery likes company, but if you’re feeling down and defeated, it’s best to surround yourself with positive people with high vibrations.
This is not only to be exposed to high energy, but also to learn different coping mechanisms from others. Everyone deals with emotions differently and if something is not working in your favor, it never hurts to try to find an alternative route.
3. Dive into the 5 W’s
When dealing with an existential crisis, it’s best to tackle it all from the root. Try by asking yourself the 5 W’s – who, what, when, where, and why will you feel like you’ve come to this point.
Who – Who were you prior to this existential crisis (were you working out regularly, were you involved in a community sport, etc.)? Who did you surround yourself with? Who do you go to for advice or encouragement, who is one that makes you feel negative about yourself?
What – What were some events that led up to this point both professionally and personally? What environment where you in? What’s the energy like? What values stay true to you and what has changed over the years?
Where – Where do you want to go from here? Where do you picture yourself in your happiest state of mind? Where do you put most of your time and energy throughout the day?
When – When do you have free time for yourself? When do you get ready for the day ahead? When did you feel you started having an existential crisis? When did major events occur in your life?
Why – Simply and compassionately ask “why” for everything. This article can help you dig deeper
The simplicity of the word “why” is to help you become self-aware and learn more about yourself. We spend more time getting to know others by having dinner with people, coffee, or hanging out, but how often do we do that with ourselves?
Get to know yourself as if getting to know another friend. Ask these questions with compassion and thought, and the root may be much easier to find.
4. Measure Accordingly
Look at how you’re measuring your goals and successes. Are they time-sensitive? Are they achieved by a certain age? Or are they set by financial limitations?
Goal setting is important to achieve the things we want in life, but it’s always important to not only get attached to the time-frame, but stay focused on the goal itself.
Most times, people are pressured and attached to the idea of time that then translates to stress and un-fulfillment.
5. Quiet the Chatter
Quieting the chatter goes beyond moving away from physical distractions and inner dialogue – it’s also about quieting the things that consume your energy.
If you find yourself emotionally drained from listening to gossip, then stray away from it. If you feel your energy is depleted when you find yourself working on projects that aren’t aligned with your values, then challenge yourself to find other projects that you find joy in doing. Your time is valuable.
6. Give Yourself 10 Minutes
Your personal time can get washed away in the long day-to-day listing of things, and 10 minutes can seem like a long amount of time.
How often do we also spend 10 or even 30 minutes mindlessly scrolling on our phones or spending that time on tasks that are of less importance?
Prioritize your time and find a hobby that can be integrated into a daily routine and away from the screens. It can be meditating, journaling, drawing, listening to music, or gardening.
While we live in a world where information is constantly at our fingertips, we’re quick to indulge in a huge amount of information without letting our brain digest them. Not having at least 10 minutes to allow ourselves breathe can ground us for the rest of the day ahead.
Final Thoughts
An existential crisis is something that happens to every one of us, but there’s always a way out of it. It’s a matter of taking some time for reflection and surrounding yourself with people who can bring or lift you up again.
Always remember that your time is valuable and that you should only be going through life at your pace and your pace only. Also at a point in ourselves, we have to reset and start fresh with a new perspective and a new brewing friendship with ourselves.
After all, one can’t be happy with others and external outcomes without first being happy with one selves.
By Adenaike Damilola Ruth.